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Twenty years ago, the archi-typical slogan sign read "Question Internal Combustion." That question was soon answered with extensive and conclusive argument that Plug-in hybrid technology offers more benefits and advantages than all-battery electric vehicles. The LA Times article "The 500mpg solution" (2004?) only touched the surface of plug-in hybrid potential that automobile-related business interests will pay handsomely to keep secret.

Unless we continue to make progress in EV, at the initial expense of compromise, the battle will be uphill, instead of poking at obvious current limitations, it would be worthwhile to propose solutions

When you compute the "unaccounted cost of CO2 emissions" what is the real cost of gasoline/diesel car? Before suggesting that electric cars are somehow subsidized, consider the fact that fossil fuel vehicles have been subsidized for several decades and we are paying in terms of environmental costs, costs of war, human health from emission. If you add all the externalized costs by automotive companies, fossil fuel producers, I think the fallacy of "lifetime cost" analysis will lay bare.

I personally do not drive electric car, and I wish I could afford one; but the subsidies provided to fossil fuel cars are far too attractive for my lightweight wallet!

In terms of carbon it does all depend of the electricity source. Using coal emissions are similar to the average american car, whereas using low carbon power they have half the emissions of the best diesel or hybrid, even after account for the large manufacturing footprint.

Rent seeking by would be developers. Terrible idea to just put subsidies out there. Governments spurred development of aviation by offering prizes and mail contracts only when certain objectives were achieved, no generalized subsidies just to fly. Even the railroad incentives were not just cash subsidies. They gave away land, which was all-but worthless to the recipient until the recipient created an economically viable railroad to reach the land.